Why DO Quilts Matter? A Few More Reasons…

Earlier this month, we received a tweet from the owner of a quilt shop in Raleigh, NC. It read: “@WhyQuiltsMatter – so glad our shop @wishuponaquilt is sending quilts to the victims of #Sandy – that’s why quilts matter.”

Superstorm Sandy: Quilts and Blankets DriveThat Raleigh quilt shop is Wish Upon A Quilt, and–as a result of a call for quilts issued on their blog–the shop quickly collected and dispatched approximately 50 quilts to the NY Metro area heavily ravaged by Superstorm Sandy (and its aftermath). The driving force behind this amazing relief effort is New York City quilter, Victoria Findlay Wolfe (Bumblebeans BASICS). Victoria reports that the response has been overwhelming–so overwhelming, in fact, that the offices of the distributing agency have been swamped with beautiful quilts, and no more quilts can or will be accepted after December 7. She thanks quilters around the country for their incredible generosity, and encourages them to seek alternative programs still in need of assistance with recovery.

When we heard about Victoria’s heartfelt, well-organized, and obviously successful outreach effort, we got to thinking about other ways that quilters are using quilts to bring hope and comfort to those in need. If you ever had a doubt that quilts DO matter, read on…

Alzheimer's Art Quilt InitiativeDuring the four-and-a-half days at the 2012 International Quilt Festival in Houston, the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, founded by Michigan quilter Ami Simms, sold 1,597 quilts, earning $75,000 for the AAQI. Read more about AAQI’s outstanding success in Houston here.

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is a national, grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research for this devastating disease. Since 2006, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has raised more than $870,000 for Alzheimer’s research through donations, the sale and auction of donated quilts, and various other fundraising activities. As a result, grants have been awarded to researchers at Cornell, the University of Michigan, University of California/San Diego, Temple University, and other similar institutions. Visit the AAQI website to learn 33 Ways You Can Help–including purchasing or donating a quilt!

 

Midnight Fantasy (16" x 16") by Caryl Bryer Fallert; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

Midnight Fantasy (16″ x 16″) by Caryl Bryer Fallert; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

Connections (16" x 16") by Alex Anderson; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

Connections (16″ x 16″) by Alex Anderson; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

How Does Your Garden Grow? (16" x 16") by Mary Sorensen; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

How Does Your Garden Grow? (16″ x 16″) by Mary Sorensen; sold at the AAQI Celebrity Quilt Auction

 

Another outstanding quilt-related program started and maintained by quilters is the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The mission of the QOVF is “to cover ALL combat service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. This foundation is not about politics; it’s about people.”

Blue Star mom Catherine Roberts began the Quilts of Valor Foundation in 2003 from her sewing room in Seaford, DE. Motivated by her son’s year-long deployment to Iraq, and her desire to see that returning vets were welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserved, she hit upon the idea of providing each one with a tangible expression of appreciation and gratitude. Since then, QOVF has become a national, grassroots community-service effort, connecting the homefront with those who serve on the battlefront.

 

Some of the crew from All American DUSTOFF outside Bagram CASH (Afghanistan); photo courtesy QOVF

Some of the crew from All American DUSTOFF outside Bagram CASH (Afghanistan); photo courtesy QOVF

According to Executive Director June Moore, the official number of quilts presented to date exceeds 70,000. Whenever possible, presentations are made in person. These occasions are understandably moving, and the QOV site features video-taped interviews that underscore the meaning of the QOV quilts both to the veterans and to the quilters who made them.

“There are never enough quilts to fill the requests for them,” June says. Click here to learn more about QOV, including how you can become involved by making quilt tops, machine quilting them, making a monetary donation, or requesting a quilt for a veteran you know.

Quilts: They mattered then, and they matter now. (But you knew that, didn’t you?)

 

The AIDS Quilt Project on the Mall in Washington, DC; the AIDS quilt is made up of thousands of 3' x 6' panels, each made by family members and friends in memory of a loved one lost to AIDS. The AIDS Quilt Project is featured in Episode 7 of Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics.

The AIDS Quilt Project on the Mall in Washington, DC; the AIDS quilt is made up of thousands of 3′ x 6′ panels, each made by family members and friends in memory of a loved one lost to AIDS. The AIDS Quilt Project is featured in Episode 7 of Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics.

2 responses to “Why DO Quilts Matter? A Few More Reasons…”

  • Nanu says